Jamayka Rhose Pascual

Vice president Sara Duterte has stirred controversy by camping at the Batasang Pambansa on November 22 to support her detained chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez.

Photo Courtesy of Bilyonaryo News Channel.

Lopez has been detained since November 20 after being cited in contempt by a committee investigating Duterte's alleged misuse of confidential funds.

Duterte, who visited her chief of staff Zuleika Lopez, currently detained for contempt, has refused to leave the premises, staying at her brother's office, Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte, despite repeated requests to abide by the House's regulations.

The vice president arrived at the Batasang Pambansa on November 21 evening and remained overnight in the office.

“Anyway, there’s a sofa here. I brought some of my personal things with me... I will just have to call my kids later tonight to tell them that I can’t go home for the weekend,” Duterte said in a virtual press conference.

Duterte’s stay, which she claims is to ensure Lopez’s comfort and security, comes amid a House investigation into her alleged misuse of confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President and her time as the Department of Education secretary

She then added that she is just concerned over Lopez’s health, citing chronic back problems and other medical issues, which she says may need her support.

In a letter to the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, Duterte requested permission to stay with Lopez on humanitarian grounds.

“I would like to inform you in advance that I intend to visit Atty. Lopez daily, for the full period of her detention, within the bounds of the guidelines pertaining to persons under custody of the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms (OSAA),” Duterte told Manila rep. Joel Chua.

Chua rejected her request, stating that the detention facility is exclusively for detainees, and the committee could not make exceptions to its established rules. 

“Inasmuch as this humble representation would like to accommodate your request, we are constrained to abide by the guidelines of the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA). Per the guidelines, the facility is for detainees and the committee has not ordered for your detention,” Chua explained.

Despite being denied her request, Duterte pressed on with her decision to stay inside her brother’s office, with permission granted by her brother, Rep. Paolo Duterte.

In a statement, senior deputy speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., majority leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, and deputy speaker David Suarez condemned Duterte for her blatant disregard of the chamber's authority and her significant violation of security protocols.

“Is it so difficult to follow the rules? We all abide by principles, rules and laws in the country. She should not be exempt from that. She knows that,” Suarez added. 

ACT Teachers rep. France Castro also questioned Duterte’s motives, suggesting that the Vice President may be attempting to influence the investigation and prevent Lopez from fully testifying. 

Duterte, however, has defended her actions, calling the House’s inquiry politically motivated and vowing to challenge the proceedings in court.

“I pity them because, as I said, I am a politician and it is expected that they will try to destroy my name because there’s a race [for elections]. To get ahead of their opponents they will really destroy those who see as their competition in politics,” Duterte stated.